Mobile Attachment Slide Projector Using Camera Flash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image projection devices are costly to integrate with mobile devices due to the need for additional light sources and lack of convenient mechanisms for projecting slide transparencies, which has led to the decline of slide projectors in favor of digital media.
Innovation Solution
An image projection device that attaches to a mobile device using a camera flash as a light source, featuring a slide frame receiving slot, a magnifying lens, and a focus adjustment mechanism, allowing for the projection of slide transparencies onto a surface while utilizing the mobile device's camera and near-field communication for encoding and event triggering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a light source is integrated into the image projection device, then the projection function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mobile device's camera flash as an intermediary light source to illuminate the slide transparency, eliminating the need for an integrated projection light source. The flash acts as a mediator between the mobile device and the projection function, enabling cost-effective integration without requiring additional lighting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device's camera flash is repurposed to serve dual functions: its original photography function and the new function of illuminating slide transparencies for projection. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated projection lighting, reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an integrated light source is used in the projection device, then projection capability is achieved, but the device becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The camera flash serves as an intermediary component that enables projection capability without being part of the core projection device structure. By using the mobile device's existing flash system, the patent achieves adaptability for projection while avoiding the complexity of integrating a dedicated light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the projection function with the mobile device's existing camera system by using the same flash and camera components for both photography and projection purposes. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining projection versatility.
3Ease of operation
If a dedicated projection system is added to mobile device, then projection function is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device's existing camera flash and camera components serve themselves by being repurposed for projection functionality. The system uses the mobile device's own resources (flash, camera, processor) to achieve projection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated projection hardware and reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera flash and camera are designed to perform multiple functions - photography and projection - thereby achieving ease of operation for projection without incurring the additional production costs of dedicated projection hardware. The universal components handle both tasks through software control.
4Manufacturing precision
If slide frame receiving slot is designed with specific geometry, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide frame receiving slot employs asymmetric geometry with a first side having a first angle and a second side having a second angle, where the angles are intentionally made unequal. This asymmetric design provides precise alignment guidance for the slide frame while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing, as the angular differences create natural positioning features without requiring complex machining.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective and convenient projection of slide transparencies onto a surface using a mobile device's camera flash, with the ability to automatically adjust focus and advance slides, and trigger events based on encoded information, enhancing the functionality of mobile devices without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a magnifying lens aligned with the aperture, the magnifying lens positioned at a front end of the body
Implementation Method 2
camera flash illuminates the slide transparency
Data Source
AI summary
An image projection device is disclosed having a body defining an aperture that includes a slide frame receiving slot that is transverse to the aperture and a magnifying lens positioned in alignment with the aperture at the front of the body. The image projection device can be attached to a mobile device and uses the camera flash of the mobile device to provide the light source to illuminate a slide transparency. The mobile device can identify a particular slide transparency through information encoded on the slide frame in order to coordinate audio or video output with the projected slide.